WA defends its environmental record

Western Australia is defending its environmental record despite a report finding the ecological footprint of the state's average resident is twice that of the average Australian.

The Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA) State of the Environment report card released says WA's resources-driven boom is putting unprecedented demand on natural resources and the environment.

Addressing climate change, greenhouse gas, population growth and increased consumption of natural resources have been identified as priorities for WA.

"The long-term health of WA's environment and its people shouldn't be sacrificed at the expense of making a short-term economic gain," EPA deputy chairman Andrea Hinwood said.

The report said the average West Australian's ecological footprint, the amount of land and water needed to support consumption, was 14.5 hectares, more than twice the seven hectares required by the average Australian.

This was because of WA's large size, its low grazing densities and the distances needed to travel around the state, the report found.

WA Environment Minister David Templeman said this was "confronting".

"That's why our Act Now for the Future campaign is focused on ensuring people know what they can do as individuals ... to reduce the impact that they're having on their environment," Mr Templeman told reporters.

The minister said the government had made good progress in the past six years by creating 36 new conservation areas, introducing the country's first desalination plant, and through programs to protect WA's biodiversity.

The report said the government had made progress in reducing air pollution, tackling salinity and saving 13 native species from extinction.

But it also noted 46 per cent of the 180 recommendations of the 1998 State of the Environment report had still not been implemented.

Mr Templeman admitted this was "disappointing" and said he would respond "appropriately" to this report's recommendations.

But opposition environment spokesman Steve Thomas said it showed the environment was not a priority for the Labor government.

The government was only spending $200 million - which was one to two per cent of the budget - on the environment, Mr Thomas said.

"We face an environmental crisis, and further dithering from the Carpenter government on this major issue is unacceptable," he said.